LifeApp: Aligning Education with Careers

In a packed press conference at the State Capitol today, Senator Howard Stephenson revealed his plans for solving the misalignment of education and careers. His statements about “degrees to nowhere” have elicited much discussion, but Senator Stephenson is sure that helping students to pursue career-based degrees will boost Utah’s economy in the long run.

Today, Senator Stephenson reiterated the problems this misalignment causes and proposed his solutions: primarily the use of a newly developed online program called “Life App,” whereby students can utilize technology to target career choices, keep track of their goals and even connect with school counselors.

Full Audio of the press conference is available here:

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I say this is way past due! Finally someone who isn’t afraid to say the truth about what is obvious to many in the job market; the fact that way too many people seeking secondary education and degrees are misguided in their pursuit from the begining. I hope Rep. Howard Stephenson can convince our representatives to make it happen.

Senator Stephenson have you ever looked at or explored the UtahFutures.org program? This does the same thing your LifeApp program does and is explanding all the time and is already tied into the statewide school system from k-college. Students can identify their skills, interests, financial aid, colleges & training sites. What percentage does the Utah Taxpayer Association receive from IBM for pushing the LifeApp program?

From the UtahFutures website:
“UtahFutures.org is provided free of charge to all Utah residents through the support of these partners: GEAR UP, Utah State Office of Education, Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA), Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, and the Department of Workforce Services.”

I can’t believe that someone in the Senator’s office or family hasn’t clued him in to what already exists.

Once upon a time I thought Sen. Stephenson was a thoughtful man. Now he seems to be looking for Change for Change’s sake.